Latest developments in Qatari envoy's ongoing tour

Qatari envoy Jassem Bin Fahad Al-Thani, who has been in Lebanon since weeks to help the crisis-hit country break its presidential impasse, is meeting with Lebanese leaders away from the spotlight.

Al-Thani has met with Marada leader and Hezbollah's presidential candidate Suleiman Franjieh, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil, and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, media reports said.

As he tries to find a third candidate, other than the current presidential candidates Franjieh and former minister Jihad Azour, Al-Thani has reportedly suggested the nomination of acting General Security chief Brig. Gen. Elias Baissari many times during his meetings.

Geagea, in an interview with L'orient-Le Jour denied that Al-Thani has suggested candidates. "The Qataris are not proposing names," Geagea said.

Meanwhile MTV said that during his meeting with Al-Thani, Jumblat has expressed his readiness to cooperate with any effort and has said that he has no veto against any candidate.

Media reports had claimed that Al-Thani has tried to convince Franjieh to withdraw from the presidential race, while a report in Nidaa al-Watan newspaper quoted French Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian as saying that Franjieh's nomination has ended.